Credit Card Offers HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card: Fast-Track to Star Alliance Gold Status

Fast track to Star Alliance Gold status with the HSBC Star Alliance credit card!​

Learn more and apply for this card:

HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card Guide

The HSBC Star Alliance credit card is the first of its kind, allowing Australian cardholders to earn Star Alliance Points and Gold status.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

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What are the main benefits of this card?

1. Signup bonus: Fast Track to Star Alliance Gold Status, when you spend $4,000 or more on eligible purchases in the first 90 days from account opening
2. Keep your Star Alliance Gold status each subsequent year that you spend at least $60,000 on your card
3. Earn 1 Star Alliance Point per $1 on eligible purchases, up to $3,000 per statement period and 0.5 Star Alliance Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases thereafter, uncapped
4. No annual fee in the first year and $499 p.a. thereafter

Why we like the HSBC Star Alliance credit card

Launched in 2022, the HSBC Star Alliance credit card is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. You'll earn Star Alliance Points which are transferable to a choice of seven Star Alliance member airlines at a time of your choosing. You can also earn Star Alliance Silver or Gold status just by spending on the card, with no flying required!

Once you qualify for the welcome offer and are fast tracked to Star Alliance Gold status with any of the seven participating carriers, you’ll soon be enjoying perks like airport priority lanes and lounge access when flying across the whole Star Alliance network. It is the largest airline alliance in the world with 25 member airlines, including Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, United and Turkish Airlines.

Please note that the welcome offer is not available to existing HSBC customers transferring from another HSBC credit card, or if you have previously held a HSBC Star Alliance credit card within the last 18 months. Refer to the full T&C’s for more information:

HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card Guide

The HSBC Star Alliance credit card is the first of its kind, allowing Australian cardholders to earn Star Alliance Points and Gold status.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

AFF members are welcome to discuss this card in this thread.

 

[Beer_budget]

The current credit card customers have a value and I would not be surprised if our great 'friend' NAB ends up buying them just like they did Citibank's et al.

Interesting to see if the credit card book still looks like value to NAB etc after 1 October. I'd love for someone to pick it up as I like the *A card, but I guess we'll see. Possibly they're holding out for a fire sale nearer the end of the wind down.

 

[albyd]

I suspect the CC book has already been picked over & HSBC didn’t like the offers it got. Shame as my HSBC card has been picking up non Amex spend. Yeah, it has had capped points earn but it has been a decent backup.

 

[rurounimaikeru]

I've got a trip booked for May/June 2027. I had been planning to sign up for HSBC around now to get the *Gold credited to SQ.
If I sign up and make the minimum spend before end of the year, but then HSBC discontinue the product in early 2027 - Do I retain SQ Gold if don't have the card?

 

[asterix]

I've got a trip booked for May/June 2027. I had been planning to sign up for HSBC around now to get the *Gold credited to SQ.
If I sign up and make the minimum spend before end of the year, but then HSBC discontinue the product in early 2027 - Do I retain SQ Gold if don't have the card?

I thought I'd read they stopped accepting new applications.

 

[Beer_budget]

I thought I'd read they stopped accepting new applications.

They have, that ship has already sailed.

 

[SCM]

It's very upsetting to see yet another player bow out, and with the big 4 consolidating all other banks - there has never been less competition in our banking industry.

 

[iamsuperandrew]

I was about to apply for it but my bet is if Star Alliance wants to partner it will be with MyCard (Ex- Citi), just a guess

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Card will be open for another 18 months .

but for those making the 48k spend in the next year, let’s say they qualify in Jan 2027. In theory they would have god AC gold for 2 years… which could extend beyond the lifetime of the card?

 

[Beer_budget]

M

but for those making the 48k spend in the next year, let’s say they qualify in Jan 2027. In theory they would have god AC gold for 2 years… which could extend beyond the lifetime of the card?

Maybe. Currently you lose your status once the card closes (and T&Cs expressly say the same would hold if the program ends), so no guarantee the airline would continue to recognise the status at this stage.

We all wait with bated breath to learn whether there will be a transitional status arrangement. I mentioned upthread, it may come down to goodwill decisions of the individual airlines.

 

[roby]

The current credit card customers have a value and I would not be surprised if our great 'friend' NAB ends up buying them just like they did Citibank's et al.

I am not surprised that HSBC couldn't find a buyer for their CC products. Star Alliance Australia Pty Ltd is the owner of those reward points. A potential suitor like NAB could partner with Star Alliance at the end of the 18 months for free.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

I would be surprised if NAB (or anyone else) buys the credit cards. With the upcoming reduction in interchange fees from 1 October, the profitability of credit cards has plummeted, which is why on other credit cards you are seeing the points per $ being slashed, insurances and other benefits being removed, annual fees being increased and in some cases cards being removed (e.g. MyCard Prestige).

I doubt the 0.3% interchange fee is going to sustain the Star card on an ongoing basis. HSBC may maintain it until they cease all their cards, but would be really surprised if someone were to take it over. NAB looked at the entire HSBC Australia retail business last year and declined then.

 

[Beer_budget]

Yes, unfortunately particularly given the timing I don't have high hopes (unless Amex picks it up? They do have some status benefits on KF cards in the SG market).

 

[iamsuperandrew]

I am a little annoyed I missed this one TBH, hopefully it stays alive with a new bank

 

[kamchatsky]

This card will be closed:

https://www.hsbc.com.au/content/dam/hsbc/au/docs/help/star-alliance-credit-card-closure-communication-12aug26.pdf

Closure of your HSBC Credit Card in Australia

We previously informed you that HSBC will be closing its retail banking business in Australia. As a result, from 18 November 2026 your credit card will be closed and your agreement with us will end. This letter explains what this means for you.

What you need to know

• Final transaction date : The last day you can perform transactions on your credit card account (e.g. purchases, cash advances or recurring payments) is 17 November 2026. You and any additional cardholders must stop using the credit card account after this date.
• Repayments: While your account will be closed on 18 November 2026, you must continue to make repayments after this date in accordance with your agreement until you have repaid your outstanding balance. We will continue to charge you interest, fees and charges on any balances in accordance with your agreement.
• Annual fee: From 12 August 2026, no annual fee will be charged. We’ll refund any annual fees already charged to your account from 13 August 2025 to 11 August 2026 on a pro-rata basis by 12 October 2026 provided your account is open.
• Purchase interest rate: If your current annual percentage rate for purchases is higher than 12.99%, it will be reduced to 12.99% from 18 November 2026. The annual percentage rate that applies to cash advances remains unchanged.
• Cards: On 18 November 2026 we'll automatically cancel any cards linked to your credit card account (including any digital cards). Please ensure you and any additional cardholder destroy any physical cards after this date.
• Account closure: On or after 18 November 2026, once your balance is $0 and there are no pending transactions or interest charges, we’ll automatically close your account .
• Star Alliance Points: You’ll continue to earn Star Alliance Points on eligible spend until 17 November 2026, and these will be transferred to Star Alliance Rewards.
• Star Alliance status: We’ll provide you with further updates around any changes to Star Alliance Silver or Gold status benefits as soon as they are confirmed.
• Logging in to Star Alliance Rewards: You can continue to log in to your Star Alliance Rewards account and transfer your Points to participating airlines after your credit card is closed.
• Insurance: Any complimentary insurance benefits provided in connection with your credit card account will continue to operate in line with your account Terms and Conditions and the Personal Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet.

Other complimentary benefits: card will end on 18 November All other complimentary benefits linked to the credit 2026, including HSBC Instant Savings provided by Entertainment Publications. Existing and new enquiries: All enquiries you raise on your account will continue to be investigated and resolved in line with agreed timelines. Financial hardship and payment arrangements: If you have spoken to us about financial hardship or have a repayment arrangement in place with us, there is no change to your current arrangement. Please be assured we will let you know if there is any change to your current arrangement.